Stringed musical instrument



May 6, 1930. w. KIRK STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed March 24, 1923 Patented May 6, 1930 UNITED STATES WALTER I. KIRK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Application filed March 24, 1923. Serial No. 627,253.

My invention relates to stringed musical instruments.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple and practical form of stringed musical instrument somewhat similar to a banjo, but embodying certain features usually found in the ukelele.

Another object of the invention is to secure strength and durability in construction.

Another object of the invention is to secure simplicity of construction and low cost of manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to secure a good musical tone and good musical effects.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of a stringed musical instrument embodying my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same;

Fig. 3 is a section at the line 33 taken as indicated on Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, I show a musical instrument having a body 1 and a neck 1*, a head 2 and strings 3-3 extending between pins 4-4 and a bridge 5. The body 1 is preferably made circular in form and may be composed of an annular rim 6, a top or sounding board 7 and a bottom 8. These parts, that is the rim 6, top 7 and bottom 8, are preferably made of wood.

The rim 6 is preferably made of two parts 9 and 10, preferably made of different kinds of wood and arranged one within the other and glued together. The top 7 preferably fits against or in contact with the upper edge of the composite rim 6 and the bottom 8 preferably fits against or in contact with the lower edge of said rim 6 and said top 7 and back 8 are firmly and securely fastened to the rim 6, as by gluing. A block 11 is preferably fitted Within the rim 6 and is preferably located so as to cover joint 12 in the inner rim section 19 and joint 13 in the outer rim section 9. This block has its outer surface made convex to correspond With the inner concave surface of the rim 6 and is preferably secured by gluing to the rim.. Another block 14: is arranged diagonally opposite the block 11 and is also preferably constructed with a convex surface corresponding to the concave surface of the rim and is glued to the inner surface of the inner member 10. I

A rib or supporting member 15 is preferably secured to the under side of the top 7. Lining 17 is preferably provided at the upper edge of the rim 6, said lining being preferably in annular form and triangular in crosssection, with saw cuts 18 to permit it to be bent to correspond with the circular shape of the rim. The rib 15 extends to the lining 17, across the body portion, having its ends chamfered or beveled to conform with the contiguous angled side of the lining 17, against which these ends abut. This lining is preferably made in two parts, which extend between the blocks 11 and 14 on opposite sides of the body 1. This lining 17 and also the blocks 11 and 14: are preferably made of wood.

The neck 1 is secured to the body 1 opposite the block 11, the end ofsaid neck being preferably concaved so as to fit the convexity of the rim 6. The neck 1 is preferably glued to the rim 6 and also held by a screw 19. By reason of the fact that the corresponding convex and concave surfaces of the rim and neck prevent rotary movement on the part of the neck relatively to the body, I find that a single screw with glue is amply sufficient for secur ing body and neck together. 7

The top 7 is preferably provided with an aperture 20 below the strings 3 and between the rib 15 and end of the neck 1*. The bridge 5 is preferably made of wood and secured as by gluing to the top 7.

It will be seen that the device is very simple and practical and may be made very inexpensively, and it will also give excellent musical tones and effects. g

It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

WVhat I claim is:

' 1. A stringed musical instrument comprising a composite annular wooden body composed of'continuous annular wooden rims, each'extending through 360, a flat wooden top secured to and in contact with-the upper edge of the wooden rim, a wooden bottom secured to and in contact with the'lower edge of the wooden rim, a neck having its end made concave to fit against the convex exterior of the body and mechanical securing means passing through the rim and into the neck to secure body and neck together.

2. A stringed musical instrument comprising an annular Wooden body composed of a continuous annular Wooden rim extend ing through 360, a flat Wooden top secured to and in contact with the upper edge of the Wooden rim, a wooden bottom secured to and in contact with the lower edge of the wooden rim, a neck having its end made concave to fit against the convex exterior of the body, mechanical securing means passing through the rim and into the neck to secure body and neck together, and a block secured within the annular rim opposite the end of the neck, said rim being butt-joined, said joint occurring at a point'within the limits of the circumferential extent of the said block and secured thereby.

3.. A stringed musical instrument con1pris. ing an annular wooden body composed of a continuous butt-jointed annular wooden rim extending through 360, a flat wooden top secured to andv in contact with the upper edge of the wooden rim, a wooden bottom secured to and in contact with the lower edge of' the wooden rim, a neck having its end made concave to fit. against the convex exterior of the body, mechanical securing means passing through the rim and into the neck to secure body and neck together, and a block secured within the annular rim opposite the end of the neck, said block forming an abutment for said securing means, said block also covering a joint in. said annular rim.

4. A stringed'rmusical instrument. comprising a Wooden body formed of an annular laminated rim extending through 360, a flat wooden. top. secured to and in contact with the upper surface ofthe rim, a wooden bottom in contact with and secured tothe bottom surface of the rim, a neck secured to the rim andhaving its. end made concave to correspond with the convexity of the rim, a block secured to the inner surface of the rim opposite the end of theneck, a screw passing through said block and. also through the rim and into the end of the neck, a block located diametrically opposite the first mentioned block, and lining strips secured along the upper surface of the rim and underneath the top. to form broad gluing and supporting surfaces for the latter.

5. A stringed musical instrument comprisinga composite annular wooden body composed of an inside and outside .annul'ar wooden rim each. extending through 360, a

fiat wooden top secured to and in contact withthe upper edge of'the: woodenrim, and a wooden bottom. secured to and in contact with the lower edge of the woodenrim, said parts holding the body of the instrument together, whereby no interior cross brace is necessary.

6. A stringed musical instrument having a neck and a wooden body, said body formed of an annular laminated rim, each lamina butt-jointed to form a continuous circle; the buttjoints being offset or staggered to reinforce each other; a block overlying the said butt joints located within the inner lamina and opposite the neck; said block and said neck having mechanical means for forcibly clampingthe said rim at the said jointure of the rim.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of March, A. D. 1923.

' WALTER I. KIRK. 

